If a patient arrests after cardiac surgery is it acceptable to delay cardiopulmonary resuscitation until you have attempted either defibrillation or pacing?
Date First Published:
August 26, 2009
Last Updated:
August 26, 2009
Report by:
Ulf Lockowandt, Adrian Levine, Tim Strang, and Joel Dunning, Registrars in Cardiothoracic Surgery (Karolinska University Hospital, Sweden, North Staffordshire University Hospital UK, Wythenshawe Hospital UK, James Cook University Hospital UK)
Three-Part Question:
In [patients after cardiac surgery who suffer an arrest] is [Immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)] vs. [Immediate defibrillation or pacing] the most effective strategy to optimise [survival to discharge].